The region requires more court space to handle a growing number of provincial offences, including non-criminal charges laid by police and municipal enforcement, says a report going to the administration and finance committee next week.

The number of charges filed in 2024 (76,740) is up 61.5 per cent from 2019 (47,152), while the total fine revenue is up almost 50 per cent from 2020, to $9.1 million last year.

POA (Provincial Offences Act) charges include non-criminal violations under the Highway Traffic Act, Trespass to Property Act and Liquor Licence and Control Act, as well as municipal bylaws and red light cameras.

Court and administrative operations are currently housed in three separate, aging facilities in downtown Kitchener, with a limited amount of space creating inefficiencies,

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